Method of measuring fetal head orientation, position, and velocity and providing feedback to mother and doctor

Abstract

A method is described to provide real-time fetal position, movement velocity, and head orientation feedback to professional medical staff and delivering mothers. Using this feedback, the mother can be apprised of how effective her pushing is moving the baby through the birth canal. Medical staff can use this feedback to assess fetal head orientation and determine location of the baby in the birth canal. The feedback device consists of metrology devices mounted on a fetal scalp electrode, a data acquisition method, software to interpret the metrology signals, and feedback hardware for doctors and the mother.

Description

[0001]This invention relates to the hardware and methods used during childbirth. The present invention relates particularly to a method of delivering fetal head orientation, position, and rate of decent information to the mother and delivery-room staff to shorten delivery-time and reduce vaginal examinations during labor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Regional anesthesia, including epidurals, is commonly used during labor. Childbirth under regional anesthesia inhibits the natural physiologic feedback from the nervous system that causes effective maternal expulsive efforts. Because of the lack of natural sensory feedback, mothers—especially those who are experiencing child-birth for the first time—lack the natural sensation, inherent urge and ability to generate effective pushing. This prolongs labor that leads to increased maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality and an increased time burden on the delivery staff and facilities.[0003]With additional coaching from know...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device is used to monitor the fetal descent and velocity of the baby with respect to a fixed position during labor. The data from this device are then processed and used to provide feedback to the mother enabling her to push more effectively. Said feedback can simultaneously provide information to the delivery room staff enabling them to intervene in a timely and effective manner.

[0007]A separate sensor, that can be integrated into the same device, detects fetal head rotation and orientation in real-time. The metrology device and resultant measurements, independently or collectively provide information facilitating maximally effective expulsive efforts without the need for frequent vaginal examination. Minimizing digital examinations and shortening the delivery process reduces maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the lack of natural sensory feedback, mothers—especially those who are experiencing child-birth for the first time—lack the natural sensation, inherent urge and ability to generate effective pushing.

This prolongs labor that leads to increased maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality and an increased time burden on the delivery staff and facilities.

However, these vaginal examinations increase the risk of maternal and fetal infection and tissue trauma.

In addition to the health risks of coaching using vaginal examination, such a coaching process requires the direct time attention of professional attendants.

This adds to the time-burden of the delivery-room staff.

This also typically requires multiple vaginal examinations with the associated risks previously described.

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